Oil burner



June 25, 1935. r R. M. VIDALIE 3 on. BURNER- Filed March 11 1931 5 She ets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Fe/1e M V/aa/fe wmwlnx A TTORNEYS.

June 25, 1935. R. M. VIDALIE 2,005,832

OIL BURNER Filed March 11, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. Fzne M V/OU/fe ATTO R. M. VIDALIE 2,015,832

011. BURNER June '25, 1935.

Filed March 11, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet) 3 FILE' :7.

INVENTORZ Pena A7. V/aafiz R. M VIDALIE 2,005,832

OIL- BURNER Filed March 11, 1931 5 ,Sheet-Sheet 5 June I 25, 1935.

I 'INVENTOR. Pena M V/aa/fz ATTORNEYS.

m N mNHphu lmwN mHfnk Patented June 25, 1935 OIL BURNER Ren M. viaaue, San Francisco, Calif., assignor to Ray Burner Company, San Francisco, Call! a corporation of Delaware Application March 11, 1931, Serial No. 521,855

13 Claims.

This invention relates to an oil burner, and particularly to a unit construction for the same whereby a simple, compact, and relatively inexpensive oil burner is provided for domestic or industrial installation, the construction being such that the burner will require, relatively, a minimum of attention. This application is a continuation in part of my copending application, Serial No. 436,086, filed March 15, 1930.

The invention is also concerned with the provision of a burner construction of such a nature that the starting up operation of the burner is facilitated. In this connection, I prefer that a resistance element be utilized in combination with a suitable refractory support block, the two being so positioned that the resistance element can heat the support block but does not contact with any liquid oil. The block is positioned to receive liquid oil'from the oil atomizing means of the burner. This oil vaporizes on the heated block and the vapor thus generated becomes ignited upon contact with the hot resistance element to start the burner.

Previous oil ignition devices for burners of the type herein considered have, in some instances. employed a high tension current. These, therefore, required a relatively expensive transformer installation and the provision of a high grade of insulating material, necessarily expensive.

The resistance element, which I preferably employ, is adapted to be connected directly to a power line, as a 110 volt line, furnishing either alternating or direct current. burner, as shipped from the factory, capable of installation directly, irrespective of whether the supply is direct or altemating current. This is quite an advantage since -it is less expensive and electrical resistance element, after ignition of the oil has taken place and the resistance unit is cut out of service, is protected from the heat of the burning oil and from radiant heat from the fire box. This prolongs the life of the element materially.

This makes the atomization in oil burners has been such that the initial ignition of the oil was frequently rendered ineffective, the flame actually being blown out upon application of the secondary air.

My invention also contemplates the regula- 5 tion of the voltage applied to the resistance element so that a practically constant temperature 01 the element is assured: thus prolonging the life of the element. In actual installations I have observed that where 110 volt line voltage is ordinarily spoken of, the actual line voltage, upon measurement, varies between 85 and 145 volts. 'A voltage as low as 85 volts is not sufficient to raise the element to a high enough temperature to result in, and enable, positive'oil ignition; 145 volts is so high that a deleterious efiect is had upon the resistance element, due to overheating. I therefore include a suitable regulating means such as a ballast resistor in the circuit with the electrical resistance so that the voltage passed through the electrical resistance element is so regulated that the temperature of the resistance element is ,kept relatively constant and is not subject to the 1100 F. or 1200 F. difierence in temperature which can be occasioned by an increase of the line voltage from 85 to 145 volts, which occurs if no regulation is employed.

The invention possesses other advantageous features and objects, some of which, with the foregoing, will be setforth at length in the follow- 30 ing wherein I have outlined a preferred form of the oil burner of my invention In the drawings, which form a port of the present specification, I have illustrated a burner embodying the aforementioned preferred form of the invention. However, it is to be understood that this form is only the preferred form and that modifications can be made without departing from spirit and scope of my invention. The appended claims are to be accorded a range of equivalents consistent with the state of the prior art.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation partly in section of a burner of my invention.

Figure 2 isan enlarged view of the oil discharge pipe.

Figure 3 is a section taken along the line 33 of Figure 1 illustrating the coupling construction.

Figure 4 is a section taken along the lines 4-4 of Figure 1, illustrating the shutter control mechanism.

Figure 5 is a section taken along the line 5--5 of Figure 4 illustrating further details of the shutter control mechanism and the rear end of the burner.

Figure 6 is a front elevation of the refractory 55 I Figure 10 is a-section through a form of means for supplying an excess of oil to the atomizing cup and the electrical ignition means.

Figure 11 is another form of device useful in supplying excess oil .to the atomizing cup and the electrical ignition means.

Figures 12 to 14 inclusive are diagrammatic showings of various oil burner ignition installations contemplated by my invention.

Figure 15 is a section taken through the ignition block, element, oil atomizing means, and oil supply pipe, showing certain other features of my invention.

Figure 16 is a section taken alongthe line |6'-|6 of Figure 15.

The preferred form of the oil burner herein depicted is that type which includes a cup upon which oil is discharged as the cup is revolved rapidly to atomize the oil upon its being thrown off the cup by centrifugal force. The burner shown includes a suitably formed metal cup 2| positioned upon a rotatably mounted shaft 22 which is adapted to be driven at a. relatively high rate of speed. Oil, supplied from a supply line 23 through an orifice 24 therein, as is' shown in Figure 2, is discharged upon the rapidly spinning cup to be subsequently whirled off and atomized by the centrifugal force imparted to the oil.

While certain features of my invention are particularly concerned with this particular means of effecting atomization, there are other features of the invention that can be employed with other oil atomizing means. The rotary cup is here depicted as the preferred form of atomizing means but, as may be inferred from the above, other types of atomizing means for the oil may be employed within the skill of those versed in the art.

The present invention is, from one aspect, particularly concerned with the ignition of the oil whirled off the atomizing cup over lip 26 thereof. The ignition means, in the present instance, preferably includes a suitable supporting means such.

as a block 21 of a suitable material having the necessary high electrical resistance, refractory properties, and being resistant to attack from the oil sulphur content.

Thisblock, as is best shown in Figures 1, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 15, is adapted to be cooperatively positioned with respect to the atomizing cup and particularly the lip 26 thereof. In its preferred form, the block is generally circular in outer contour and has a central passage 28 through which the atomizing cup partially extends. This central opening is formed by the angularly provided faces 29 and 3| which extend away from each other toward opposite faces of the block. A channel 32 is formed in the block and preferably extends almost entirely around the outer periphery of the block. Within this channel an electrical resistance element 33 is positioned. This element is formed of a suitable resistance material, preferably an alloy of nickel and chromium of' either one of the following compositions:

Nickel 80% Chromium 20% Carbon .l5% Mang .50- .70 P 8; S .035 max. Silicon .'70- 1.50 Nickel 19.00-21.00 Chromium 25.00-26.00 Iron balance It is to be noted, as is best shown in Figures 6, '7,- 8, 9 and 15 that the wire is well down in the channel and that the relation between the wire and the face 3| is such that direct contact of oil with the wire is practically impossible while vaporized oil can contact with the hot element for ignition. Accordingly; the face 3| is so fashioned that the plurality of shoulders 34 and depressions 35 are formed therein as appear in Figures 6, 8 and 9 so that liquid oil can pass relatively close to the heating element without actually contacting therewith. Further, the element is disposed on the block'so that free vapor and air circulation can take place over it. Oil, contacting with Y the refractory block, heated by means of the re- .sistance element upon electrical power being passed therethrough, becomes vaporized and, upon contact of the vapor with the heating element, ignited.

It is my observation that-the direct contact of the oil with the hot element does not serve to ignite the oil and, over a period of time, this contact is not beneficial to the heating element, appearing to have an actualdeteriorating effect upon the composition of the element. It is therefore to be noted that the element is so positioned, with respect to the atomizing cup, and with respect to the block, that it is out of the normal path of oil discharged from the cup and substantially out of contact with oil striking the supporting block. i

The shoulders 34 are continued beyond the face 3| and include projections 36 which are slightly hooked over, as shown in Figures 6 to 9 inclusive, to hold the wire in position in the channel, although the channel is wide enough so that the wire can be readily removed and inserted by manually manipulating it over the projections and in the channel.

The heating element 33 is connected at each end to connectors 4| which extend through the block and engage the ends of the element. It is to be particularly noted, as shown in Figure 8, that the connectors each include a shoulder 42 which engages the bottom of depression 43 provided in the outer face of the block. An end 44 of each of these connectors extends for a considerable distance from the block, the end being enclosed in a sheath 46 formed on the block. I have found this construction advantageous inasmuch as possible electric breaking down of the block from contact with oil is obviated, inasmuch as a very long path of refractory material has to break down before a short circuit can actually take place across the connectors.

To prevent the heat of the burning oil and radiant heat from the fire box from affecting deleteriously the resistance element, and to ensure a long life to the element in operation, means are preferably provided for preserving the element substantially at atmospheric temperature at all times during operation of the burner, even though the element is exposed to the direct heat "and radiant heat-from the-bm'ning'oirhithe on boat into which the burner is discharging. These means preferably include a passage II, which extends so'that air can be circulated over the element. The passage tions 38 extend over the passage, a plurality of cuts 49 are formed in the block adjacent to the projections, as is best shown in Figure '7, so that air circulates adjacent the underside of the element and against the projections. The shoulders 5| formed by provision of the cuts, enable the element to be adequately supported and retained in position upon the block.

Means are also provided for draining oil, drip- .ping from the atomizing cup, into the fire box tact of the oil drip with the block. This includes a drain pipe 53 extending from air discharge nozzle 53 through a slot 54 in the block to the fire box. A vane member 55 is cast across the lower side of the nozzle 63, as appears in Figure 16, in back of the connection to the drain pipe, so that dripping oil collecting in the nozzle is passed into the drain. What little oil does drain off the lip 26 of the atomizing cup is of such a small quantity that the block is not materially affected thereby.

The block and its electrical resistance element are preferably held in cooperative relation to the atomizing means by a nipple 56 to which the block is fixed by means of a set screw 51 engaging a notch 58 in the block. The block is positioned with the slot 52 at the lowermost point. The nipple is conveniently carried upon the oil burner structure and, as'is best shown in Figure 1, is preferably mounted and secured upon a ring 59 extending from casing 6|.

The nipple 56 includes one or more apertures 62 for admitting air between the nipple and the air discharge nozzle 63 which is cooperatively extended about the rotating cup 21. These apertures serve to admit atmospheric air so that the air passes through the passages 48 in the block and cools the resistance element as previously set forth. When the oil burner is in operation,

particularly in connection with a very hot fire box, circulation of air is naturally induced through the apertures 62 and through the passages 48 so that the element is kept cool. Atmospheric air at atmospheric temperature is therefore supplied to the element and keeps the element at practically the temperature of the atmosphere at all times except when the element is energized by electrical power. In some instances, instead of depending upon the natural air circulation, it may be desirable to utilize a portion of the secondary air supply, or air utilized for effecting secondary atomization, as by providing a hole in the casing 6| so that air is passed to the heating element and is thereby kept cool when not energized.

In the present form of burner, an air supply under pressure is preferably furnished by a fan 66. This fan includes a runner comprising a plurality of blades 61 carried upon a suitable hub ctr-actual muss turn shaft 2251c! within the ing formed-b7 M vanes a casing 5| resting the air into tho' dischar'ge nozzle 03.

from the nozzle is directedby, vanes'llabmt rotating atomiz'mgpup and the lip llr'ahereof. This airv effects, what I have previously-' termed. a secondary atomization of the oil the cup lip. It is not the only air 511M 3 usually, other air being generally admittedpastthe nippie B.

The air supply for the fan is preferably'drawn through a supporting housing structure H which includes bearings 12 for rotatably mounting the shaft 22. These bearings are preferably of the plain babbitt type although roller bearings may be utilized. I have found that the plain bearings are practically noiseless and therefore utilize them where this factor is material. The housing andsupporting structure H is formed with an air passage way 13 therein so that air passes through the housing from the end I4 thereof to the fan. The air, drawn from the atmosphere, is circulated over the bearings and keeps them cool even though they are relatively close to the burner.

Means are provided for furnishing lubrication to the bearings 12. These means include conduits I8 through which a lubricant can be injected into a chamber 19 surrounding the bearings. This chamber includes an opening 8| which is normally closed by a plate 82. A suitable fibrous material 83- as wool can be placed in the chamber and, when-saturated with a lubricant, serves to supply the lubricant to the bearings 12 through slots 84 provided through the bearings, the wool contacting directly with the rotating shaft. The portion of the shaft which extends between the bearings 72 is enclosed by a suitable member 86 carried upon the bearings. As has been previously set forth, the oil is supplied to the rotating atomizing cup through an aperture 24 provided in the upper side of the shaft or oil pipe 23. This pipe, as is best shown in Figure 2, includes several circular cuts 81 adjacent to the aperture and extending completely about the oil supply pipe. These prevent the oil from creeping back along the outside of the oil supply p p Another form of oil dischargemeans from the pipe 23 is shown in Figure 15. This means comprises a plug 25! inserted into the pipe and having an angularly formed shoulder 252 which abuts the end of the pipe. The plug. extends from the pipe to an end portion 253 which comprises angular shoulders 254 extending from a common constricted base at an angle of about 45. An outlet hole 255 is drilled inthe end through the constricted base and into duct 25] which extends to the oil pipe. with the hole 256 facing upwardly. In practice,

'I have found this constructionadvantageously employed to prevent oil leakage of the pipe when the burner is not operating. The burner can be tipped forward at quite an angle before the oil will drain out.

The oil supply pipe 23 extends through the hollow shaft 22 from a hollow bracket member 88 in which it is centrally positioned by a plurality of set screws 89 carried in the bracket member. These set screws enable the oil supply pipe to be The plug is placed in the pipe adjusted-relative to the hollow shaft 22 so that cludes a drain through-which oil traveling back along the outside of .pipe 22 can pass.

The oil pipe is carried in and is secured to a member 9| which is fixed to the bracket 88. This member, as is shown in Figures 1 and 5, is adapted to be connected to a source of oil supply, which can include the pump, control devices, and reservoir carried in casing 92, th rough an adjustable oil metering device such as anadiustable aperture indicated at 94 in Figure 1 or metering device 93 shown in Figure 15.

The metering device shown in Figure 15 is particularly capable of enabling the burner to start the first time, even though the burner has been idle for some time. Present day fuel oils are not absolutely free of sediment, asphalt bodies or free carbon, so that, when regulation of the oil to the burner depends upon the use of a restricted orifice, clogging of the orifice frequently occurs. In the form of device shown, the member 9| includes a passageway which extends angularly with respect to and extends beyond the level of the oil inlet connection 96 and the duct 91 which passes to the pipe 23. A threaded plug 98 having a passage 99 therein. A thin apertured metering disc I 00 of a metal as monel metal is soldered onto the end of the plug and forms a closure for the passage 99. It is to be noted that the disc is above the oil level in the duct 91 so that when the burner is not operating, the apertured disc is out of the oil. This leaves the aperture free, while sediment can settle into the bottom of the passageway 95 and away from .the disc. When the burner starts up and oil is passed through the metering disc, the aperture therein is free. The plug 98 can be withdrawn and replaced with another plug carrying another size of metering disc so that the quantity of oil supplied to the atomizing means can be varied and controlled.

Means are provided for regulating the air adm'ittance into the housing II and the fan 66. These means, in the preferred form of the invention, include a fixed'shutter member IIII secured to the housing and a movable shutter member I02. A sheet metal shield III is extended about the shaft 22, where it projects from the rear bearing 12, to seal the shutters adjacent to the shaft. This shield III includes a shoulder portion I94 supporting a spring I96 positioned between theshoulder and the adjacent shutter member I02 so that the two shutter members are forced together by the tension of the spring.

Means are also provided for controlling the shutters. The operation of the shutter control mechanism is automatic and in accordance with the desired operation of the burner, as will presently appear.

At this time I wish to clearly point out and indicate that there are three possible modes of operation of the ignition means provided for the oil atomizing means.

The first mode of operation is that which results in the shutting oil! of the air, as from or to the fan, so that secondary atomization of the oil does not take place. The effect of shutting ofi the air supply to the atomizing means is that the secondary atomization, and deflection of the oil as it is discharged oi the rapidly whirling cup, does not take place, and the oil does not traverse its normal path. Instead, the oil spreads out fanwise, striking upon the hot refractory block and becoming ignited.

The second mode of operation is that wherein the air supply is not interrupted while an excess of oil is supplied initially to the burner as it starts. The excess is such that complete and effective atomization of the oil is impossible due to the extraordinarily large volume of oil. the oil, therefore, finds its way to the hot refractory block and becomes ignited, with the result that adjacent atomized oil also ignites an the burner starts into operation.

The third manner of operation, is that in which operation is achieved by shutting down'the airsupply, at least in part, while supplying an additional quantity of oil initially to the atomizing means with the result that unatomized 'oil spatters upon the hot refractory-block and becomes ignited, whereupon the burner starts in operation. The first manner of operation, that of shutting .oil! the air supply, is secured by use of the shutters I92 and I III, previously described. These shutters are preferably controlled so that when the burner is not operating they are shut to cut off the air supply. Subsequently, upon the burner being started up, and as oil is supplied to the atomizing cup, secondary atomization does not take place'because the air is not available and the oil is sprayed upon the previously heated refractory block.

The operation of opening and closing the shutters is preferably responsiveto the supplying of oil supplied to the atomizing cup. The means for effecting the shutter control include a pressure responsive device III positioned in chamber 2 in the casing 92 so that upon creation of pressure in the chamber by the pump mechanism H3, piston Ill moves rod H6 which is secured to it. The contractible and expansible device III is conveniently formedby a metallic bellows III which is conveniently fixed by being secured to a supporting plate member I]! which is positioned upon the casing 92.

The bellows is enclosed in a cylinder Ill into which oil can enter through aperture I2I. The rod member is joined to the piston Ill and ex- Sweettends therefrom through an aperture I29 to a I21 which is supported on the casing 92. The

bell crank includes an adjustable stop I28 to control its throw. The bell crank is mounted upon a iiotatable shaft I29 which includes a crank arm 3 by means of a swivel I 33 from which it extends to the shutter member I 02 and to which it is adjustably joined by means of swivel Ill movably secured in a slot I36.

The shaft I29 also carries adiustably a mum terweight Ill which is so positioned as to bias the piston Ill and rod H6 to extended position. I prefer that a counterweight be employed for this P p se rather than a spring since the counterweight is positive in action, is not afiected by temperature and is sure and positive in operation, although a spring can be employed, being placed inside the bellows.

The casing 92 includes a suction compartment I42 into, which oil is drawn through fitting I 50 A red I32 is Joined to the crank arm iii from an oil supply by a pump mechanism H3.

chamber I46 is provided in'the pump casing into which oil is discharged by one pump and from which it is picked up by the second pump through suction pipe I 52 to be delivered into pressure reservoir chamber III. From this chamber, oil is finally delivered to the burner through an outlet control flow device indicated generally at I88. This control device is responsive to the pressure built up in the chamber and will not release oil until the proper pressure is raised. When the pressure falls below this limit the device operates to shut off the flow. An excess pressure device I88 is also included which is adapted to by-pass excess oil delivered to the reservoir chamber.

The pumps I88 and I48 are preierably provided upon a common shaft III and which is suitably sealed into the pump housing by an oil seal bearing I82. The shaft I8I includes a coupling memberYI88 which, as is shown in- Figures 1 and 3, includes a recessed portion I8'I adapted to receivecooperably a gear-like member I88 constructed or a suitable resilient material as rubber and adapted to fit into the recessed portion.

A coupling member "I, similarly recessed as coupling I88, is provided cooperatively adjacent to coupling I88 and the member I88so that connection between the coupling members is readily made in such a manner that the exact alignment of the shafts carrying the coupling members is not necessary. I

The coupling member III is carried by shalt I12 01 electric motor I18. This motor is carried upon a plate I" positioned upon the top of the housing II and to which the motor is suitably aflixed. The pump chamber 82 is also mounted upon this plate as by studs I18 so that the motor and pump are carried by the plate and are movable therewith. I

The coupling I'II also carries a pulley I" about which is extended the belt "8 which passes over another pulley I18 carried upon the shaft I22. The drive provided for the pump and for the rotating atomizing cup is therefore relative- 1y simple, it being possible to adjust the tension of the belt without disturbing alignment of the motor and pump. 4

In operation the motor, the resistance unit or ignition element 88 and ballast resistor are connected to a suitable control unit I88 which may -be conveniently in the form of a panel board having any suitable electrical timing control mechanism thereon. Thus, wires III are ex-, tended from the connectors ll of the resistance unit and pass about the nozzle 88 and by the nipple 58 between a cover member I82 andian casing 8i. These wires extend to the control unit as do other wires to the motor, these last mentioned wires not being shown. As I have indicated schematically in Figure 12 for the purposes of illustration, the control unit is connected to a source of current supply, usually a 8 volt power line in which is connected. any suitable master control switch I82. This control unit may have any suitable retarded relay I88 for automatically controlling closing of circuit I88 to electric motor I18; the coil I88 of retarded relay I88 being connected in a circuit including wires I8I, ignition or resistance element 88 and any suitable timing or warpswitch I85. Such warp switch is normally closed when switch I82 is open and the burner is not in operation; and it comprises bimetallic stem I85 which is designed to warp a predetermined interval subsequent to closing of retarded relay I88, to break the circuit through ignition element 88 by virtue of heating of the stem I8-'i' by means of shunt W tch m and, as previously stated, warp the current to the resistance element 88. I have round that this supply. should include a period of about twenty seconds to heat up the element and block before the motor is started up. This is accomplished by the timed closing 01 retarded relay I88, as was previously explained.

It is to be noted that the circuitshown includes the resistance element and a ballast resistor I88, so thatthe temperature oi! the resistance or ignition element, as previously explained, is practically constant. As a suitable ballast resistor, I have employed pure nickel wire, al-

though other suitable materials having the cor-' 'rect temperature-resistance coeillcient can be em- .ployed.

- After the resistance element has been energized andthe refractory block has become heated, the motor is energized by closing of retarded relay I88. It immediately turns over the pump which as previously pointed out is connected for rotation with the motor by means of shaft I8I; so that, very shortly thereafter, oil is supplied to the pressure chamber. Also, energization of the motor, eflects rotation of fan 61 and atomizing cup 2I both mounted on tubular shaft 22 connected for rotation with the motor by means of belt I18. Supplying of oil to the pressure chamber builds up the oil pressure therein and causes the piston Ill of the pressure responsive device III tobe moved against the bias or the counterweight I8I so that the shutters I8I' and I02 are moved relative to each other by ,means oi the shutter actuating linkage including members II6, I21 and I82. However, due to the bias placed upon the piston, the opening of the shutters does not take place immediately, and some oil is supplied to -the rotating ,atomizing cup. This is iacilitatedby the iact that the orifice 28 is provided in the upper side of the supply line 28 so that the oil cannot drain out of .the line.

7 Since the air is shut, oil, secondary atomization oi the oil is not-eflected, and theoil is not'discharged of! of the atomizing cup in the path normally followed when the air is being supplied. The oil therefore strikes the refractory block, is vaporized and ignited.

As the pressure builds up and the piston I I8 isdepressed in the cylinder, the shutters I82 and II are moved relative to 'each other so that the air is supplied to the rotary atomizing cup, and

As I have previously explained, I have found that the air supply to the burner should be initially in very small quantities, since I have observed that a sudden rush of air is very apt to snufi out the flame. This is particularly so when starting into operation with a cold flre box which will not support or ignite the oil vapors. I therefore preferably provide the shutters in such a fashion that the apertures therein register successively instead of simultaneously so that, as the shutters are moved -relative to each other, first one aperture opens and then another so that the quantity of air supplied is initially very small.

' This is best illustrated in Figure 4 wherein it will on successively around the shutters for each set.

of the cooperative apertures. If all of the apertures registered simultaneously, and were opened only to a very slight extent, the net area opened. when multiplied by the total number of apertures, would be quite considerable, and the quantity of air appreciable.

As soon as the burner starts into operation, and the fire box begins to heat up, the control unit I00, by virtue of the automatic opening of switch I85 subsequent to closing of retarded relay I00 shuts off the. current to the electrical resistance or ignition element 30, which thereupon is rapidly cooled and is maintained at an atmospheric temperature by the circulation of air through the passage l8 and apertures 02.

In practice I have found that the burner construction just described is very positive, economical to construct and efficient in operation.

In Figures 10, 11, 13 and 14, I have illustrated arrangements for supplying excess oil to the atomizing means so that, irrespective of the control efl'ected over the air supply, the atomizing means cannot deal adequately with the excess oil and the oil is discharged upon the refractory block with the result that the oil becomes ignited and the burner starts into operation.

In Figure 10 I have illustrated generally a device 200 which is adapted to be placed in the oil supply line I50, Figure 5, between the outlet from the pump and the inlet 8| to the pipe 20. The function of this device is to supply a flood of oil so positively that the atomizing cup, as it starts up into operation, cannot atomize the oil adequately and the oil is discharged upon the refractory block. The device includes a cylinder 20! adapted to be placed in communication with-the outlet for oil from the pump, or other 011 control means for the oil to the burner. The device includes a strainer 202 which is positioned in the cylinder so as to strain oil entering the same. A collapsible bellows 203 is positioned within the cylinder and is sealed'at one end upon body member 204 with which the interior of the bellows is in communication. A by-pass 206 is provided about the bellows between the cylinder 20l and discharge connection 201. This by-pass includes a removable hollow plug 200. The plug has a passageway 209 therethrough and is adapted to be removed upon withdrawal of member 2| I.

In operation, upon oil being supplied to the cylinder, the bellows is caused to collapse as the oil pressure increases with the result that the excess oilcontained in the bellows, the oil having drained into the bellows after the burners last operation, is forced out through the passage 20'! and into the oil supply pipe 23. The normal supply of oil to the burner passes about the bellows through the by-pass 206.

In Figure 11 I have depicted another form of device for supplying an excess of oil. In this instance I preferably provide a cylinder 22i which is adapted to receive oil from the oil outlet of the pump. The oil is received through an inlet 222 which includes a strainer 223'. The inlet is in communication with a main cylinder chamber 224 in which a piston 225 is provided. Movement of this piston is regulated by a screw 228 so that the volume of oil discharged can be controlled. The pistonincludes removable apertured screw plugs 22'! which provide adjustable apertures so that the total quantity of oil passed through the burner can be regulated.

The passage of oil about the piston is controlled by provision of the cooperating seating surfaces 200 formed upon cylinder head 220 and a resilient member 220 carried upon the piston so that oil passing through the burner, in normal oper-- ation, must pass through the apertured screw plugs.

This structure likewise collects a quantity of oil above the piston when the burner is shut off, which quantity of oil is subsequently'positively injected into the oil supply pipe immediately upon the pump starting into operation and building up sufiicient pressure'to lift the piston against the contained oil.

The operation of these devices is much the energizing the resistance unit 30 for a matter of about twenty seconds prior to the time that the motor starts to drive the pump. Immediately upon the motor driving the pump, the excess oil means supplies the excess quantity of oil to the atomizing means with the result that the oil is discharged upon and adjacent to the refractory block and its resistance element, to start the burner.

In Figure 14 I have schematically illustrated the utilization of the excess oil supply means and the air supply control means. This particular combination has some advantages, particularly where it isdesired that the burner start very positively into operation and that the oil be quite positively discharged upon the heated refractory block. In starting up in very cold climates, this sometimes proves desirable, a positive ignition being assured.

The operation of the system is much the same as that of the system previously described. The control unit preliminarily energizes the resistance unit until the resistance unit and the refractory block become'heated whereupon the mo tor starts the pump into operation. Immedi-' ately upon the pump, or oil supply means, going into operation, the excess oil means supplies excess oil to the burner while the air shutter, or air supply control means, is thereafter energized to begin the supplying of air for effecting the secondary atomization. By this time the excess oil In this connection it is' ing structure H upon a pedestal base including a pedestal 24! with respect to which the burner is adjustably mounted by means of set screw 2 and a standard 242 engaging thehousing II. By this means, the burner can be readily moved up to a furnace door and the furnace does not have tube of a heavy construction as-would have to be to ,support the burner. The noise of operation ofithe burner is not transmitted into the furnace structure as in the present installations. This last feature, lack of noise transmission to the furnace, and through the furnace structure, is particularly desirable in domestic installations where relatively light furnace structures are employed. Further, the whole unit is self contained and is suitably enclosed, so that tampering and fooling with the burner structure is obviated in some measure. Thus, I preferably extend a housing cover 2 so that-the oil unit is practically entirely enclosed.

I claim:

1. In an oil burneri an oil atomizing cup mounted for rotation, a fan casing, a fan mounted in the casing for rotation with the cup, an air discharge nozzle extending from the fan casing to discharge air about the cup, a secondary nozzle positioned about the discharge nozzle, an insulating block carried by the secondary nozzle adjacent to the atomizing cup and positioned out of the normal path of the atomized oil discharged from the cup, an electrical resistance element mounted on the insulating block out of the path of oil atomized off the cup, and means automatically controlled upon starting for causing oil atomized off the cup to contact the insulating block adjacent the resistance element to be ignited, the block having a passage therethrough to permit an air circulation over the resistance element to 1 cool the same, the secondary nozzle including an aperture for admitting air to pass over the resistance element. 7

2. In an oil burner, an oil atomizing cup mounted for rotation, a fan casing, a fan mounted in the casing for rotation withthe cup, an air discharge nozzle extending from the fan casin to discharge air from the fan about the cup, shutter means for controlling" air admittance to the fan, a secondary nozzle positioned about the discharge nozz1e,'an insulating block carried by the secondary nozzle adjacent to the atomizing cup and positioned out of the normal pathof the atomized oil discharged from the cup.v an electrical resistance element mounted on the insulating block out of the path of oil atomized ofl the cup, and means automatically controlled upon starting for closing the shutter means to cause oil atomized off the cup to contact the insulating block adjacent the resistance element to be ignited, the shutter means including a pair of members relatively movable between a shut-ofl position and an open position in which air passes to the fan, each of the members including a plurality of apertures adapted to cooperate so that air admission to the fan following oil passage adjacent the heating element takes place relatively gradually, the block having a passage therethrough to permit an air circulation over the resistance element to cool the same. the secondary nozzle including an aperture for admitting air to pass over the resistance element.

3. In a fuel burner, oil ignition means, oil atomizing means positioned cooperatively with respect to the ignition means and. adapted to discharge atomized oil normally out of contact with and beyond the ignition means, means for supplying a substantially predetermined quantity of oil-under pressure tothe atomizing means for normal atomization, andmeans-responsive to the initial supplying of ofl to the atomizing means for supplying a quantity of oil-in excess of the predetermined qtrthqillfi k means for controlling said blastof air to effect f ing means discharges oil onto the ignition means during initial operation of the burner.

4. In a fuel burner, oil ignition means, oil atomizing meanspositioned cooperatively with respect to the ignition means and adapted to discharge atomized oil normally out of contact 'with and beyond the ignition means, means for supplying a substantially predetermined quantity of oil under pressure to the atomizing means for normal atomization, and means operable in response to the initiation of burner operation to supply a quantity of oil inexcess of the predetermined quantity so that the atomizing means dischargesv oil onto the ignition means during initial opera-. tionof the burner. a

5. In a'fuel burner, oil ignition means, all

of oil under pressure to the atomizing means for I I normal atomization, and means responsive to the initial supplying of oil to the atomizing means for supplying a quantity of oil in excess of the predetermined quantity so that the atomizing means discharges oil onto the ignition means charge atomized oil normally out of contact with the ignition means, means for supplying oil under pressure to the atomizing means for atomization, means for conducting ofl from the supply means to the atomizing means, means included in the conducting means for retaining a quantity of oil, and means for exhausting the retaining means to supply an excess quantity of oil to the atomizing means when the burner starts into operation so that oil is discharged onto the ignition means.

'7. In a fuel burner, oil ignition means, oil atomizing means positioned cooperatively with respect to theignition means and adapted to discharge atomized oil normally out of contact with the ignition means, means for supplying oil under pressure to the atomizing means for atomization, means for conducting oil from the supply means to the atomizing means, the conducting means including a chamber adaptedto collect oil from the conducting means when the burner is not operating, a by-pass about the chamber for passing a predetermined quantity of oil to the atomizing means, and means responsive to the initial passage of oil through the conducting means to exhaust oil collected in the chamber onto the atomizing means as an excess quantity of oil.

' 8. A fuel burner comprising a tubular sprayby rotation of said cup, a tubular nozzle mem- A ber positioned about said cup and in spaced relationship with respect thereto, means for supplyin a blast of air between said cup and said nozzle and directed against said cone to aid in spraying of fuel from said cup, an annular ignition element positioned about said nozzle, and

block in the space between said member and air circulation over' the resistance element to cool the same, the structure formed by said member having an opening for admitting air be caused to selectively follow a path adjacent to or away from said ignition element.

9. In an'oil burner, an oil spraying cup mounted for rotation, a fan casing, a fan mounted in said casing for rotation with said cup, an air discharge nozzle extending from said fan casing to discharge air about said cup, a tubular member positioned about said nozzle in spaced relationship with respect thereto, an insulating said nozzle adjacent said cup and positioned out of the normal path of oil sprayed from said cup, an electrical resistance element mounted on said insulating block, and means operable in response to the initiation of burnemoperation for causing oil sprayed oil. of said cup to follow a'path different from said normal path to contact said block when it is desired to ignite said oil, said block having a passage therethrough to allow into the space between said member and said nozzle for passage to said resistance element.

10. In an oil burner, an oil atomizing cup mounted for rotation, a fan casing, a fan mounted in said casing for rotation with said cup, an

air discharge nozzle extending from said casing .to discharge air about said cup, an insulating air discharge nozzle extending from said casing to discharge air about said cup, an insulating 2,005,882 alteration of said cone, whereby the fuel can block about said air discharge nozzle and positioned out of the normal path of atomized oil discharged from 'said cup, an electrical ignition element mounted on said insulating block out of the path of oli atomized oil of said cup, and means controlled upon starting for causing oil atomized off of said cup to contact the insulating block adjacent said ignition element to be ignited, said block having a passage therethrough to permit air'circulation over said ignition element to cool the same.

12, An oil burner comprising a motor actuated oil spraying and air feeding means including a fan having a casing with a discharge nozzle operable to direct a stream of air against the oil spray whereby the path of the sprayed oil may be varied in accordance with the magnitude of said stream of air discharged from said nozzle, an igniter positioned near said burner, means operable to initiate fuel feed for operation of said burner, and means operable in response to the initiation of burner operation for controlling said air stream to cause the oil to be initially sprayed in igniting relationship to said igniter and subsequently sprayed out of igniting relationship to said igniter. 13. A fuel burner comprising a tubular spraying member rotatable about an axis, said member having a fuel discharge lip from which fuel is sprayed, a tubular nozzle member positioned about said spraying member and in spaced relationship with respect thereto, means for supplying a stream of air between said spraying member and said nozzle and directed against the fuel spray to aid in spraying of fuel from said spraying member, an igniter positioned near said burner, andpmeans for controlling said stream of air to eifect alteration of said fuel spray, whereby fuel can be caused to selectively follow a path adjacent to or away from said igniter.

RENE M. VIDALIE. 

